House Bill 1547

Introduced House Bill (H)

Authored by

DIGEST

Nonpublic schools; school corporation audits. Provides that the state board of education (state board) may accredit a nonpublic school that has: (1) received provisional or candidate accreditation from a nationally or regionally recognized accrediting body recognized by the state board; or (2) demonstrated to the state board the nonpublic school's accomplishments based on the nonpublic school's performance in another state. Provides that the state board may: (1) authorize a school participating in the choice scholarship program or that receives contributions from a scholarship granting organization to sponsor another nonpublic school that has demonstrated to the state board the nonpublic school'sNonpublic schools; school corporation audits. Provides that the state board of education (state board) may accredit a nonpublic school that has: (1) received provisional or candidate accreditation from a nationally or regionally recognized accrediting body recognized by the state board; or (2) demonstrated to the state board the nonpublic school's accomplishments based on the nonpublic school's performance in another state. Provides that the state board may: (1) authorize a school participating in the choice scholarship program or that receives contributions from a scholarship granting organization to sponsor another nonpublic school that has demonstrated to the state board the nonpublic school'scompetency or accomplishments; and (2) accredit or provisionally accredit the nonpublic school. Provides that the state board may accredit a nonpublic school that enters into a contract with the state board to become a freeway school at the time the nonpublic school enters the contract. Allows the state board to delay certain consequences for an eligible school (under the choice scholarship provisions) that demonstrates that, despite remaining in either of the lowest two categories or designations of school performance, a majority of students in the eligible school demonstrated academic improvement during the preceding school year. Allows a school corporation to contract with a certified public accountant for an annual audit. Provides that a school eligible for participation in the choice scholarship program shall submit to the department of education (department) a report showing how money received during the preceding fiscal year from each choice scholarship student has been used by the school. Requires the department to post a copy of each report it receives on its Internet web site. Requires a school eligible for participation in the choice scholarship program to post a copy of each report that the eligible school submits on its Internet web site. Makes technical corrections.... View more